Friday, December 31, 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Photo of the Day by John Boylan (BHS '71)



John Boylan is constantly snapping photos wherever he goes... and he goes WHEREVER - lol! And TODAY the Los Angeles Magazine chose the above as 'Photo of the Day'.

CONGRATULATIONS JOHN... Good job!

LINK to Magazine.

LINK to more of John's photos.

LINK to pic of John.

BHS Alumni/Looper Get-together

Received this great email today - thanks Cathy!

Hi CP: Went to the BHS Alumni/Looper Get-together yesterday at the Elks Lodge in Burbank. Here is a photo of who came:


1st row: Rich Shabazian '64; Jon Kirkwood '64; Nancy Ralphs '65; Santa Vessella '65; Bob Bauman '64; and Mickey DePalo '64. 2nd row: Kirk Harris '65; Pam Zipfel Kirkwood '64; Nancy Cowles '65; Cathy Nicholls Coyle '67; John Coyle '65; Bill Kuzma '65; Mike Feix '65 and Linda Mustion '67 in the back.

Kirk Harris '65, came with a 1962 Foothill League Championship charm that he received while playing on the "B" football team. He says that he thinks he is the only one that may still have it as many of the guys he has talked to told him that they had either lost it or had given it to their girlfriends. Kirk is considering giving it to Burbank High to display with their BHS memorabilia.





To show you how small it is... Here is a photo of Mike Feix and Kirk Harris holding the charm:



Bob Bauman was telling us how he had just recently gotten his Letter from Burbank HIgh that he had never received because he had missed the Football Banquet back in 1964! He got his letter and his patches for football and baseball! Mickey DePalo is to be thanked for setting the wheels in motion and making it all possible.



We heard a lot of stories and tales from our years at BHS. It's funny how some of our lives have entertwined since then. Here is a photo of some of the guys telling their stories while serving in the military:


Bob Bauman '64; Jon Kirkwood '64; Rich Shabazian '64; Kirk Harris '65 and John Coyle '65.

After they discussed their military service, (some of their stories were pretty amazing), they all started talking about their restored cars. It was a fun time and we'd like to thank Mickey DePalo and Jon and Pam Kirkwood for setting it all up.

Wishing all our BHS Alumni a Happy & Healthy New Year!
Your Roving Reporter signing off,
Cathy Nicholls Coyle '67

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Burbank 2011 Float: "Centennial Celebration: Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories."

BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR

Rose float highlights Burbank history

Updated: 12/28/2010 09:23:59 PM PST


Bob's Big Boy is one of several Burbank icons that will be prominently featured on its 2011 Rose Parade float, the 79th entry in the city's history.
(Andy Holzman/LA Daily News)

Click photo to enlarge
Volunteers work on a the City of Burbank's 2011 Rose Parade float, "Centennial Celebration."
(Andy Holzman/LA Daily News)


BURBANK - Come New Year's Day, 100 years of Burbank history will float by millions of viewers. They will see the SR-71 Blackbird and the bulbous, burger-slinging Big Boy, the NBC peacock and SpongeBob SquarePants.

More than 100 pairs of hands will work for the next 24 hours to florify the symbols that define Burbank's creative and cultural influences since the city incorporated in 1911. The float kicks off a year-long celebration of Burbank's anniversary, with the theme "Centennial Celebration: Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories."

"This is about celebration," said Steve Edward, vice president for the Burbank Tournament of Roses. "It's very exciting in that the city is planning a year long celebration and the float kicks it off."


Janet Maier applies paint while working on the City of Burbank's 2011 Rose Parade float, "Centennial Celebration." (Andy Holzman/LA Daily News)

Every inch of the float - 43 feet long, 18 feet wide and 31 feet tall - will feature images known all over the world. There is the skunk that represents Burbank's link to aerospace and Lockheed Martin during the Skunks Works development of various war planes.

There is the Warner Bros Water Tower, one of many icons that signifies the major film and television studios that have made Burbank the "Media Capital of the World." There are the various personalities depicted through floragraphs and linked forever to city lore, from "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson whose "Live from beautiful downtown Burbank" line cast some humor to a then-rundown part of the city, to animator Walt Disney, and comedian and actor Bob Hope. And there will be several other surprises, including fireworks.

Since June, volunteers from the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association worked to build the city's entry, based on a design by Julio Leon of Burbank. Mary Jane Strickland, the city's historical preservationist and founder of the Burbank Historical Society in 1973, said the 2011 float carries special meaning. "It's wonderful for us because it's been a true community event," said Strickland, whose family came to Burbank in 1913. Her mother was asked to sit on the city's first float in 1914, and her father, George R. Cole, was the city's first police chief in 1920.

Burbank, she said, was founded as a township in 1887, but later incorporated in 1911, though it was charterless for several years. Still, the city functioned well. "It shows some of those old timers were sharp old birds," she said. "They kept the city going." On Monday, volunteers from Burbank and from San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys worked inside one of the cavernous Burbank Water and Power barns.

Many had been repeat volunteers, lured by the power of community spirit like bees, well to budding flowers. "It's definitely meaningful for us," said Diane Campbell, a volunteer who has worked on 10 floats. "It's overwhelming when you see what everybody has worked on, in the parade." "I like doing the small handiwork," added Marta Carroll, who carefully glued on teeny tiny seeds to lettering. "It's just remarkable."

Foreman Philippe Eskandar, who oversees the flower supplies, said every single part of a blossom, from the petal to the stalk, is carefully considered before it is glued or stuck onto the float. If the color of the mums received aren't the right lime green, they will be returned to the wholesaler, he said.

"Some people sort, some people cut, but most people like the pleasure of seeing the roses," said Eskandar, who has been volunteering for six years. Of the more than 50 entries in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Burbank's is one of only six constructed purely by volunteers, with funds allocated each year by the City Council. Burbank's floats have been part of the parade since 1914, though not consecutively. But the city has come away with some of the event's most prestigious awards, including the Mayor's Trophy in 1998 and 2000. "People contact us from other states looking for a float to work on because they want to be part of the experience," said Bob Hunt, president of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association. "This is a good, family-oriented float to work on."

And the work is addictive, agreed Steven Rush, 17. He and his friend Maddie Carlborg, 15, glued cranberry seeds to the front of a classic car set at the front of the car. "I love the float," said Steven said. "I've been working on the float for years. I do the construction. The best part is on New Year's Eve, when we roll the float out. It's incredible to see what you've built."

View Rose Parade route larger map

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_16960490

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Yvonne DePatis Kupka (BHS '65) needs your prayers

January 9, 2010 UPDATE
Yvonne is out of ICU! Her phone number is 310- 267-6393. You may mail cards or send flowers to her at Ronald Reagan Medical Center, 757 Westwood Plaza, Room 8625, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

Her recovery is truly a miracle. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

Santa and Trudie


January 5, 2011 UPDATE from Santa Vessella Calderon
As of Sunday,Yvonne was resting well without the breathing tube... finally. She is responsive and talks to us with her eyes. She is still in serious condition, but the liver is producing bile and all vitals are stable. She is very thin and has a long way to go to look like the beautiful Yvonne we know and love. I've never seen so many tube connections in my life! She is in the transplant ICU at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center; however, she cannot receive flowers or anything yet. I will let you know when they transfer her to a regular room.
Take care,
Santa


FIRST UPDATE
From Guy Gingel:

Yvonne has received her liver transplant and is doing well. The BHS Angel Fund is working to see what we can donate.

And from Trudie Lombard Hentze: 
Good news... Yvonne received a new liver last night and, so far, is doing okay.  However, she has a long way to go, so please keep those prayers and good thoughts coming her way!  Many of you have asked where you can send cards.  I will let you know as soon as I can confirm where she wants them sent. Also, unless any 65 Classmates object, I will donate $200 from our alumni fund for Yvonne's medical expenses.
Thank you all,
Trudie

ORIGINAL POST


Received this email today from Trudie...

Yvonne is on the California liver transplant list, seriously ill and urgently in need of this surgery. SHE IS CONFINED TO THE HOSPITAL UNTIL A DONOR LIVER BECOMES AVAILABLE, which is causing the bills to mount exponentially. Simply put, the cost for this care substantially exceeds her health insurance coverage and the family's resources. Major surgery shouldn't bankrupt a family or threaten to financially ruin their lives. So the Friends of Yvonne and Doc Kupka have organized this medical fund to help cover her catastrophic medical expenses.

Please go to http://yvonnekupka.com/ and read more about her condition and how people are trying to help. You can also listen to the beautiful song, "Yvonne", written by her husband.

We will try to keep you posted on her condition. Please keep Yvonne in your prayers!

Santa Vessella Calderon
& Trudie Lombard Hentze

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Order Your Burbank Centennial Book Now!

The City of Burbank has officially kicked off its yearlong Centennial Celebration and will commemorate the 100th anniversary of its incorporation date on July 8, 2011!



Cost for the centennial book is $30 now but will be $40 after January 1, 2011.

The books will be available March 2011.

Go here if you live in California to order online (Call 818.238.5397 if you live outside of California):
http://www.ci.burbank.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1045

http://www.ci.burbank.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1048

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Dec 29 Casual BHS Alumni/Looper Get-Together

Received this today from the Kirkwoods for any BHS alumni who may be Burbank:

"Merry Christmas", Loopers...

Just wanted to stop by for a quick second to tell all of you who live in and around "Loopland" that on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, there will be a BHS Alumni/Looper get-together at the Burbank Elks (2232 N. Hollywood Way) at 3PM... This will be a very informal gathering in the bar area of the Elks and was put together by Mike Feix '65, Mickey DePalo '64 and Freddy Ortega '65... All are welcome...

Hope lots of you stop by for a bit of "holiday fun" in between Christmas and New Year's...

That's Wednesday, December 29th at 3PM...Any questions...contact Mike Feix at feixmike@hotmail.com
or Mickey DePalo at legacymickey@yahoo.com

In the meantime, have a Blessed Christmas...

Love, Pam and Jon

PS All of you "Baby Boomers" who graduated in '64 and before and who may be a bit confused by this "avalanche" of Medicare Information we are all dealing with or soon will be dealing with, go on FaceBook and go to the "Boomer Room"... We have been having lots of classmates sending in very good and helpful information that just might help you navigate your way through the "Maze of Medicare"...

Until next year...Stay Tuned...

Friday, December 17, 2010

Golf, Anyone?



Are you a golfer? The BHS Angel Fund is having a Burbank vs Burroughs Golf Tournament at De Bell August 26, 2011 -- SAVE THE DATE!

The GOLF committee is headed up by Mike Feix along with Mickey Dipalo and they have secured the date -- Friday, August 26, 2011 at De Bell Golf Course. Start time is 2pm. Other volunteers on the committee are: Don Melton, Jim Grasse, Guy Gingell.

John Whitt '67 has offered to be the course photographer and also handle the Public Relations end of things. John is a professional photographer and is on Facebook.

We are in need of more help. Please contact Guy at
bohica1966@live.com

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Burbank Float Getting Ready for Rose Parade

Taking a test float

Burbank's Rose Parade entry pounds the pavement along Lake Street.


 tn-blr-1215-float-1.jpg-20101215
The city of Burbank's float, "Celebrating Burbank," is road-tested on the 100 block of South Flower St. The float, which includes symbols of the city like Disney, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, NBC, the airport, Bob's Big Boy and City Hall, is still being worked on by many volunteers.
Raul Roa/Staff Photographer, December 10, 2010

By Bill Kisliuk, bill.kisliuk@latimes.com
December 14, 2010

Mayor Anja Reinke practiced her Rose Parade wave Saturday morning, holding her elbow and upper arm stiff while letting her wrist do all the work. "I've been doing this for weeks," Reinke said. "I hope to perfect it before Jan. 1." Reinke is preparing for her starring role, alongside former Burbank City Manager Mary Alvord, atop the Burbank entry in Pasadena's Tournament of Roses Parade. The mayor wasn't the only one practicing Saturday. Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. leaders took this year's float for a test drive Saturday morning along Lake Street. Rose Parade officials from Pasadena measured the float and inspected its pyrotechnic gear and other moving parts to make sure the float was ship-shape. Burbank passed the tests.

"How we're doing is super-duper," said Janet Diel, a volunteer veteran of 23 years. "Most of the float is completely built. The foaming is done. The screening is done." Now it's time for more decorating, including an intense period between Christmas and New Year's Eve when float organizers expect more than 1,000 volunteers to help attach live flowers.

This year's theme, "Centennial Celebration: Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories," honors Burbank's 100th year as a city. Diel proudly touted the major features of the float, representing Burbank creative, cultural and business institutions down through the years. The burger-wielding figure from Bob's Big Boy restaurants is featured, as is the Cartoon Network's SpongeBob SquarePants, a miniature version of the Walt Disney Co.'s Burbank headquarters, the NBC peacock and a soaring jet plane signifying the role of the aviation industry in shaping the city. Smaller panels on the side of the float will celebrate Woodbury College, longtime "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson, the old Skunkworks and the new Hub, an animation firm with headquarters on Hollywood Way.

Diel said the volunteer crew feels like family to her, and for good reason. Her children Jason, Jennifer, Joey and Jossie have volunteered many times, with some continuing to play key roles in the decorating.
"My children grew up working on the float," she said. This year, the float will be the centerpiece of a New Year's Eve party from 6 to 9 p.m. by the Metrolink parking area underneath the Olive Avenue bridge. The party will feature fireworks, live music and more.

Bob Hutt, president of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. Board of Directors, said Saturday he was pleased with the progress. "As far as construction goes, we're into the home stretch," Hutt said. Now in his second year running Burbank's float operation, he said all the work is worth it. "I just get a thrill out of seeing this thing put together," he said.

http://www.burbankleader.com/news/tn-blr-float-20101215,0,3935448.story

Monday, December 13, 2010

Leonard "Lenny" Ingoldsby (BHS '67) 1948-2010

Sorry to share this news from Linda Mustion's memorial blog::

LEONARD "LENNY" INGOLDSBY

A resident of Burbank and Glendale, California, died of complications related to Multiple Sclerosis on December 7, 2010 in Montrose, California. He was 62.

Lenny was born May 6, 1948 in Los Angeles, California, fifth of six children. He is survived by his wife, Denise of Gainesville, Georgia; two daughters, Tiffany Tolbert of Gainseville, and Trish Stires of Kingston, Jamaica; sisters, Sheila Hindery and Roni Dressel; and brother, Dave Ingoldsby.

Lenny attended St. Finbar School, Bellarmine-Jefferson and Burbank High School. He enjoyed being at Toluca Lake Bob's Big Boy restaurant on Friday nights and a "River Road" (Forest Lawn Drive) regular. Lenny loved building up muscle cars and was an excellent self taught metal machinist.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National MS Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or online at http://www.nationalmssociety.org or your own favorite charity.

VALLEY FUNERAL HOME www.ValleyFuneralHomeBurbank.com Burbank (818) 845-3766

Published in Los Angeles Daily News on December 12, 2010 (includes Guestbook) and December 13, 2010 in the Burbank Leader.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

New Column by Dave LeSueur (BHS '67)

Another GREAT LeSueur column!

Thursday, December 09, 2010

We received our first Christmas card of the season on December 3. It was from Robert and Barbara Elton of Colorado Springs. The handwritten address on the outside of the envelope said "The LeSueur's."

Like most Christmas cards we receive, there was a form Christmas letter inside describing what the family members were all doing and included a fuzzy photo so you could kind of see what everyone looked like now.

It is easy to make fun of these Christmas letters, but I like them. Done correctly, they give me an idea of what my friends are doing, without requiring them to send fifty or more handwritten letters that say essentially the same thing. A good Christmas letter is brief and informative, describing the activities and accomplishments of the family members without bragging.

We learned that Barbara keeps busy volunteering at Church, Robert was contemplating retirement and their son Nathan just moved to Fort Collins. The actual card had a handwritten note on it saying "Let's get together this year. We come to Denver fairly often." The personal note let me know that even though the Christmas letter was impersonal, they were thinking of me. Everything about the Christmas card and letter was perfect. There was only one problem.

We have no idea who Robert and Barbara Elton of Colorado Springs are.

They have sent us a card 3 years in a row now. We thought we must know them because they spelled our name right and had our address. It's not like our last name is Smith or Johnson or something. We tried to think of all of the people we had met in the prior year who might be sending us a card. Did they sell us something during the year? Were their children friends with our children? We looked at the family photo and no one looked familiar. How did they get our name and address? Do they know another LeSueur family and picked the wrong address out of the phone book?

It's too bad I don't know them because I wanted to compliment them on their Christmas card. Letter-writing is a lost art and we should encourage people who are good at it. I understand why no one writes letters anymore. Talking on the phone is easier and more rewarding. You get immediate answers to your questions. People do write e-mails, but most e-mails are just shorthand versions of conversations. Real letters require us to think about what we are saying and how we say it.

When I left home to go to college 40 years ago, phone calls were a luxury. My parents called me once a week every Sunday evening when I was away. My dad was worried about the cost, so as soon as there was a break in the conversation that lasted more than three seconds, he would say, "Well, it was nice talking to you." I learned to talk fast to make the phone call last longer.

In college I loved checking the mail. During the week, my mother wrote me a letter which would arrive on Wednesday or Thursday. My dad always gave me a subscription to The Sporting News for Christmas and it came on Fridays.

My wife keeps in touch with a high school group through a "round robin letter" which has been going for 30 years. About once a year we receive an envelope with a letter from each of the people in the group. We remove the letter we wrote last time and replace it with a new one. Then we send the packet of letters to the next person on the list and wait for a year to receive the package again. It is a throwback to an earlier time.

So I want to encourage the Eltons from Colorado Springs. I am afraid to call them because either they will be embarrassed for sending a Christmas card to total strangers, or we will be embarrassed because we actually do know them. I guess I will send them a Christmas card so they don't take us off their list.

David LeSueur lives in Littleton, 50 miles north of the Eltons.

http://lesueur926.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Reunion News Article in Leader - May 1, 2010

You never know what you'll stumble upon while searching the internet. Found this Burbank Leader article just now and never knew it was out there - lol!

Joyce Rudolph, reporter for the Leader, had told me she was going to put something in the paper but I never saw it until now.

The photo is no longer with the article but this is the one I sent her of Alan Singer, Deanna Lloyd Jennings and Sandy Ballard Spero..

And to see more pics of that fun day, go here: http://bhsclass67.blogspot.com/2010/04/burbank-on-parade-was-today.html

Reunions

May 01, 2010
http://articles.burbankleader.com/2010-05-01/features/blr-reunion042410_1_bhs-burbank-cathy-palmer



Class of 1967 reminisces at DeBell

The Class of 1967 gathered for a casual reunion April 10 in the new DeBell Golf Club.

Members of the class have been having casual get-togethers over the last couple of years, said Cathy Palmer.

Last year, classmates met on the weekend of the Burbank Burroughs All Class Alumni Picnic at Johnny Carson Park and this year following Burbank on Parade.

“It’s been lots of fun,” Palmer said.

Classmate Shelly Perez Lucero and her husband run the DeBell Clubhouse Grill and offered the space to the class.

Some of those attending were Alan Singer (’67), Bob Fossler (BHS ’64), Bruce Fossler (BHS ’66), Carol Brown Baker (’67), Cathy Palmer (’67), Craig Beedle (BHS ’66), Deanna Lloyd Jennings (’67), Don Ripley Ray (’67) and wife Xiao Mei; Donnine Storey Moeller (’67), Flora Angel Ferrens (’67) and husband Dale; Joanne Yoffee Furer (’67), John and Cathy Nicholls Coyle (’65 & ’67), Kathleen Durpree (’67), Lauralee Sengers Slocum (’67) and husband Bill; Linda Lee Durkee Johnson (’59), Madelaine Zeleany Whiteman (’67), Sandy Ballard Spero (’67), Mark Littleton (John Muir ’64/Costa Mesa ’67), Pam Hawkins Swan (’67), Sara Marino Becaria (’67), Scott and Dona Foy Bruckner (’66 & ’67), Shari Deuel Nicholls (’67), Shelly Perez Lucero (’67), Vernise Yocum Pelzel (’60), Vicki Peters Stigile (’67), Judy Heinemann Bartoletti (‘59,) Lou Bartoletti (’58), Bev Heinemann (JBHS ’59), Joe Heinemann (’59,) Penny Hermann Knobloch (’59), Lana Martin Holmes (’59).

For more photographs from the event, go to related blogs http://bhsclass67.blogspot.com/
and http://burbankhighblog.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Mr. Regnal Hall 1926-2010

scroll down for updates



More sad news... It was announced at the Senior Bulldog Luncheon Monday, December 6, 2010, that former BHS music teacher Regnal Hall passed away and there will be a memorial service in January 2011. Son Steve Hall said his dad passed away on November 27, 2010. Details to follow.

Please keep Mr Hall's family in your prayers.

Many of us enjoyed his classes. Here is the A Capella Choir photo from the 1966 Ceralbus yearbook.


click photo to enlarge

UPDATE from Alan Landros ('70):

I received details this morning from our classmate, Steve Hall, regarding the passing of his father, Regnal Hall. Mr. Hall was always one of the top one or two of our favorite teachers at BHS where he taught Music, Choir, Vocals for many, many years. Some of you may have seen this news on FaceBook in the last day or so. The information was posted on FB last Friday afternoon.

Mr. Regnal Hall passed away on Saturday, November 27, 2010, after a lengthy illness of several years. He was 83. He was born December 8, 1926. Tomorrow would have been his 84th birthday. His wife, Barbara Hall, passed away in August 2007. Here is the information for the Memorial Service for Regnal Hall:

Saturday, January 15, 2011
11:00 A. M.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Glendale
(corner of north Brand Blvd. and Doran St.)

There is also a 'Memorial Page' on FaceBook, with RSVP for the service. Also, friends/former students may wish to leave a message for Steve, Mark, and Leslie, Regnal's three children. Here is link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/ In search box at top of page put in "Memorial Service for Regnal Hall". When that comes up click on "Memorial Service for Regnal Hall" and all the details will show, along with place to RSVP.

Steve Hall came from his home in McMinnville, Oregon this past June for our Class of '70 40th reunion weekend. Steve and I first met in the same second grade class at Thomas Jefferson in 1959. Mark Hall is in the BHS '71 class, and his wife Janie Porco Hall is in the '73 class. Steve and Mark's sister, Leslie Hall Viera, is from a later 1970's BHS class.

Alan Landros

December 12, 2010 UPDATE

Here is Mr. Hall's obituary from Linda Mustion's wonderful memorial blog:
http://bhsinmemoriam.blogspot.com/2010/12/regnal-hall-burbank-music-teacher.html

Regnal Hall, Burbank High School Music Teacher

Regnal Hall relocated to heaven on November 27, 2010, just short of the age of 84.

His career in music began with playing in the Navy band from 1944-46. He taught music in Burbank for 30 years as the instrumental teacher at Jordan Junior High School from 1952-57, and as the vocal teacher at Burbank High School from1958-82.

He was known for his creativity and his willingness to embrace diverse styles of music. He was the forerunner of the Show Choir genre by producing the Pop ‘n Rockananny series of shows that began in 1969 and continue to this day. He helped to establish the national Young Men in Harmony program with the first barbershop boys chorus in 1972. From renaissance madrigals to Broadway musicals, almost no genre escaped his attention. He was a greatly-loved teacher who had two yearbooks dedicated to him.

After “retiring” from BHS in 1983, he served as the orchestra contractor at Disney Studios until 1990. He started a chorus at Burbank’s continuation high school with Disney’s partnership. He also directed 3 different church choirs in Burbank and composed sacred music for St. Mark’s in Glendale for the better part of 4 decades.

He is survived by his sons Steve (McMinneville, OR), Mark (Auburn, CA), daughter Leslie (Santa Clarita, CA) and sister Joyce (Sherman Oaks, CA). His memorial and a reception luncheon will be hosted on Sat. Jan. 15th at 11am at St. Mark’s Episcopal church in Glendale, CA located at 1020 No. Brand Blvd.

Monday, December 6, 2010

2010 BHS Hall of Fame Pics and More!

Tim Tolnay (BHS '69) has taken many wonderful photos of various Burbank High School events and he just finished posting from the Anthletic Hall of Fame as well as the recent Burbank vs Burroughs football game.

Here is the link to all his photographs: http://zumatim.com/


Thanks Tim!


Cathy(BHS '66) and Patti(BHS '69)Ferguson at the Burbank High School Athletic Hall of Fame November 12, 2010

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Bob Holst (BHS '67) 1948-2010


Sad news, folks... just received word from twin brother, Tom, that Bob Holst passed tonight from kidney and liver failure.

Cathy Nicholls Coyle posted this note and photo on Facebook:

Just received the sad news that my friend Bob Holst has passed away. I feel blessed that I was part of his and his twin brother, Tom's, life. We shared many fun times together throughout high school and later at our high school reunions. I will always remember his great laugh and the way he always enjoyed and appreciated life. He was a friend to everyone he met. God Bless you and May you rest in peace my dear friend!



Last month, when word got out of seriousness of Bob's health, many pitched in to help satisfy his last desire: to see his two sons, Johnny and Eric. And from this came the BHS Angel Fund. Please CLICK HERE to read more and if on Facebook, CLICK HERE.

To see all blog posts on Bob and Tom Holst, please CLICK HERE and scroll down.

Bob will be greatly missed. Please keep the family in your prayers. We love you Tom, Claudia, Johnny and Eric.

CONTACT INFO
Tom and Dorothy Holst
231 Quail Run Road
Venetia, PA 15367

724 941 2019 home
724 413 1426 cell

Tom's email: doro507@hotmail.com

Bob & Tom's mother:
Mrs Holst
3120 Sherwood Avenue
Apt 124
Modesto, CA 95350


Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Friday, December 3, 2010

John Whitt: BHS Mascot - 1953!

Received these FAB fotos today from John Whitt ('67) - LOVE 'EM, JOHN!!

Hi Cathy,

This is me on the sidelines at BHS in 1953. My sister, Sallie, introduced me to the cheerleaders and, according to legend, they thought I was "so cute" they and made me their mascot that year. There's one photo missing of me actually cheering -- I hope to find it later. Anyway, the only thing I remember of this whole episode in my life is how itchy those wool pants were!

Hi to everyone!

John







CHECK OUT John's website today here.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

LeSueur: Back by Popular Demand!

Carol Brown Baker suggested we post another of David LeSueur's witty columns which is about our '67 class reunion... too funny!!

Last week I attended my high school reunion in Burbank, California. My kids claim that I am so old that they were still using Roman numerals when I was a kid. Of course I don’t think I am that old. I graduated in 1967 – excuse me, MCMLXVII. But 40 years – I mean XL years – is a long time to me too! Actually, we still use Roman Numerals in the United States for things like Super Bowls (the next one is Super Bowl XLII), movie sequels (like Rocky III), names (like J. Gordon Howell IV), or spacecraft (Apollo XIII). So I guess this was my High School Reunion XL.

Initially I had some reservations about going. I loved high school, but I couldn’t keep myself from worrying. What if I didn’t know anyone? What if I couldn’t recognize anyone? What if I sat down for dinner and no one sat down at my table? If I saw the cool kids laughing, would I still assume that they were laughing at me? Would the class bully pick me up and put me upside down in the trash can?

Fortunately I overcame my reluctance because it was really fun. I saw many good friends, some acquaintances I remembered and a few people I didn’t remember at all. The most famous graduate in our class is Anson Heimlich. He changed his name to Anson Williams, became an actor and played the part of Potsie in Happy Days. I hadn’t seen much of Anson since high school. By contrast, most of us had seen quite a bit of our classmate Elaine Morton. Well, we saw pretty much all of her since she was Playboy’s Miss June MCMLXX. I personally never saw the photos though I remember that issue had some really good articles. Elaine moved to Hawaii and at High School Reunion XX Elaine gave me her phone number in case we ever went to Hawaii. We did go a few years later, but I had lost her number. I normally am good with figures but I just couldn’t remember her phone number. The only numbers I could remember for Elaine were XXXV-XXIV-XXXV.

In some ways a 40th reunion is better than a 20th. It has been so long since high school that no one is offended if you don’t recognize them or remember what you did together in high school. I still remember 15 years ago (at High School Reunion XXV) that I asked a girl if we had dated in high school. We had and she was insulted that I couldn’t remember. But at our 40th reunion, we felt comfortable looking at our name tags (which also had our high school picture) and then trying to remember whether we knew each other. It was perfectly acceptable to spend five minutes filling each other in on what we had been doing the past 40 years, and then moving on. It was enough just to know that these familiar faces from the past were all grown up and had turned out all right.

Not everyone has such fond memories of high school, but most of us have other friendships that last forever. My wife is especially close to the women who had babies at the same time she did. No matter how long it has been since they saw each other, these women feel as close as they ever did. Some of us stay close to college friends, others to friends from work. My dad recently attended a reunion for the guys who served on his ship in World War II (hey – more Roman Numerals!). He had not seen any of them in almost 60 years, so no one looked familiar. They got together not to remember good times but to honor all of the men who served their country in difficult circumstances.

I have decided that I like the idea of using Roman Numerals to identify important occasions. This has been a momentous month for me. My wife and I just celebrated Wedding Anniversary XXXVI. I feted Birthday LVIII. And most importantly, this week we can watch Episode I of Season IV of Gray’s Anatomy.

David LeSueur lives with his wife in Littleton, Colorado and they have IV children and IV grandchildren.


http://lesueur926.blogspot.com/search/label/High%20School%20Reunion%20Humor

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A BIG Wii PROBLEM by David LeSueur

Another GREAT column - lol!! And be sure to visit Dave's Blog: http://lesueur926.blogspot.com/

A BIG Wii PROBLEM

One of the problems sometimes caused by Multiple Sclerosis is impaired thinking, However, how do you know whether any diminished capacity is caused by MS rather than natural aging? When I was growing up, an uncle told me that when men got old, brain cells (which look like hair) start growing out of your ears. I was always skeptical, but now I think he might have been right. I figure I have trimmed over a foot of brain cells from my ears over the past decade and that would explain a lot.

At what age do we reach our mental peak? When does everything begin to head South? I can only speak for myself, but I know that at age 16 I pretty much knew everything. However, a more realistic self-assessment is that my IQ peaked around age 3 or 4.

I became worried recently because of an experience I had with our Wii. I consider myself technologically adept. I can program the DVR, play several kinds of Solitaire on my laptop, and figure out how to use our cell phones without even reading the instructions. I even sent four text messages this year. But I have had a big problem with our Wii. I wouldn't even have one except my neurologist suggested that playing bowling, tennis and baseball on a Wii would be a fun way to keep my arms strong and improve my coordination. I always follow my doctor's orders, so we ordered the Wii. I may even deduct it as a medical expense on my taxes.

We installed it using our upstairs television but soon decided that it would be better in the basement. So I unhooked it, took all the components downstairs and tried to install it just as I had upstairs. Unfortunately, after several hours of trying various fixes, I couldn't get it to work. I gave up, knowing I would have to consult an expert - my 13-year-old grandson, Matthew. The next time he was over, I asked him to look at what I had done. We went to the basement together. He walked over to the game console, reached for the cord in the back and plugged it into the outlet. Now everything worked! This was very embarrassing.
"You mean I forgot to plug it in?" I asked. Matthew nodded. I explained to him the importance of keeping this between him and me. I didn't want my reputation ruined. He explained to me the importance of a $20 bill to him and we soon reached an agreement.

Six months later, I went to the basement to use the WI and discovered the game controllers weren't working. This is the first time that had happened but I assumed they just needed charging. I looked around but I couldn't see anything that looked like a Wii charger, so I called Matthew to get some help. He wasn't home from school yet, so I asked my daughter what she knew about charging the controllers. She said "I don't know. Don't they just use batteries?"

Batteries! I hadn't even thought of that. I looked at the bottom of the controllers and sure enough, there was a compartment with two AA batteries. I replaced them and to my embarrassment, the controllers worked. I was going to explain to my daughter the importance of keeping secrets between her and me so my reputation would not be ruined, when she said "You've had a bad experience getting this Wii to work, haven't you? Matthew told me about how you forgot to plug it in earlier this year." I decided that I would have to ask Matthew for my money back.

The next time I saw my neurologist, I asked him if there was anything I could do to maintain my cognitive abilities. He gave me some exercises and suggestions but emphasized that I needed to actually do them, rather than just thinking about it. He challenged me to do something right when I got home. I accepted his challenge, and when I got home I took my first steps to maintaining my brainpower. I walked into the bathroom, opened a drawer, picked up the nose and hair clipper and threw it in the trash. You can never have too many brain cells.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The New Thanksgiving

John Whitt (BHS '67) emailed this out - lol - thanks John!!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Scott Carlson (BHS '67) 1949-2009



Sad news to report, classmate and friend, Scott Carlson died last year. This has been confirmed by the following obituary obtained by Linda Mustion:

Scott Wayne Carlson
July 11, 1949 - July 18, 2009

Scott Wayne Carlson was born to William and Lorraine Carlson on July 11, 1949 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The family, including Scott's older brother, Steve, and younger brother, Brent, moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1953. The family owned and worked a small farm and ranch. During these early years in Colorado, Scott delighted in the outdoors and was often found hunting, fishing, or hiking.

In 1963 economic necessity required a move to Burbank, California and Scott became very involved in his church, developing a lifelong passion and commitment to serve his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. After graduating from Burbank High School, Scott joined the Marine Corps and proudly served his country. He was a three tour decorated Vietnam Veteran achieving the rank of Corporal. The Purple Heart was among the honors that Scott received.

Scott was eventually placed on full Veteran's disability due to a number of life impairing ailments that included chronic debilitating headaches and sinus issues related to Agent Orange exposure and shrapnel that remained lodged in his brain following a close proximity grenade explosion. Despite Scott's difficulties, his heart's desire was to serve the Lord and following military service he began to pursue becoming a missionary bush pilot to bring the gospel to people groups living in hard to reach areas of the earth.

He became further disabled from a second story fall when the floor gave way on a decaying church building he was helping to tear down and then rebuild with others from his missionary organization. Following hip replacement surgery, Scott's plan to become a missionary bush pilot was dashed. However, he continued with his desire to serve God and pursued nursing and Bible degrees in college. Scott also returned to live in his beloved Colorado.

Scott had many and varied interests. He also continued as an avid outdoorsman throughout his life when health permitted. Known as a man of deep and abiding faith, Scott was a regular member of Calvary Chapel Grand Junction and hosted a weekly men's Bible study in his home. He was a generous donor in the name of the Lord to missionaries in far off lands and those in need at home. Scott went to be with the Lord on July 18, 2009 at age 60.

He is survived by his brothers, Brent and Steve, who reside in California and Minnesota respectively, as well as a host of extended family members. Scott will be greatly missed by all who had the honor and privilege of knowing this quiet and gentle servant of Christ.

Published Jul 31, 2009, Colorado Home Times, Boulder, Colorado.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Roy Obison Sings Pretty Woman



Performed in 1987, Orbison tragically died of a heart attack the following year at the young age of 52. source

Looking Back!

Joan Ortega posted this wonderful photo on Facebook from Jennifer Schatz's 1970 wedding!


Jano Kray (BHS '69), Jennifer Dale Schatz (BHS '66) and Joan Nobile Ortega ('67)





Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Carol Jane Smallenburg 1915-2010

Email today from Pam Zipfel Kirkwood '64:

Received from Trudie Lombard Hentze '65 and Christine Collins Cross '65...
Pam


Carol Jane Smallenburg would have been 95 years old on Christmas Day. This evening (Tuesday, November 16th) she quietly passed away in her chair around 7:30 PM. We will not dwell on the loss of life, but rather upon the greatness of hers. Mrs. Smallenburg, known affectionately to many as "Mama Doc", received a doctorate in education after graduating from high school at 16 and earning her BA from Stanford University. This would be quite an achievement at any age, let alone for a woman in the 1930's. When she was born in 1915 women were not even allowed to vote yet! Mrs. Smallenburg retired in the early 1980's as a professor from Cal State Los Angeles and Head of the Social Sciences Dept.

I'll bet most people don't know that one of Mrs. Smallenburg first teaching positions was at Burbank High School in the late 1930's, which made her the oldest living BHS teacher. Mr. LiPera was one of her students! She once told me that she loved coming out of the building after school and looking out over the entire San Fernando Valley, which consisted mostly of farmland and orchards.

In addition to the thousands of students Mrs. Smallenburg inspired over the years, she was also a loving and devoted wife and mother. All four of her children (Harry - BHS 60, John - BHS 63, Carol Benson - BHS 65, and Bob - BHS 72) graduated from college and became teachers. Tonight, as we gathered at the old homestead located at the very end of Alameda in Burbank, we added up all of the people she paid for or assisted financially to complete their college degrees. In addition to her four children and four grandchildren, we counted at least four other people, for a total of no less than 12. She also created and annually funded several scholarships, including one at Burbank High, so her legacy will continue in years to come.

Arrangements are pending; however, cards for Harry, John, Carol or Bob may be sent to the family home at 840 South Sunset Canyon, Burbank, CA 91501. If you want to reach one of them personally, please email Trudie at tjhentze@aol.com and she will make sure they receive your message.

Rest in peace our darling friend. We will miss your brilliant mind and incredible sense of humor, but treasure the memories forever.

Trudie Lombard Hentze and Christine Collins Cross

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

BHS '68 Alumni Laura Ziskin Awarded... Again!

Spider-Man Producer Laura Ziskin to Receive Visionary Award

by SuperHeroHype
Nov 10th, 2010
From the Producers Guild of America



Laura Ziskin, who produced the first three "Spider-Man" movies and is producing the upcoming Spider-Man reboot, will receive the 2011 Visionary Award from the Producers Guild of America:

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today that Laura Ziskin will receive the Producers Guild’s 2011 Visionary Award. The award will be presented to Ziskin at the 22nd Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 22nd at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles.


The Producers Guild Visionary Award recognizes television, film or new media producers for their productions’ uniquely positive or uplifting contributions to our culture through inspiring storytelling or performance. Previous honorees include producers Simon Fuller for "American Idol” and "Idol Gives Back”; Jeff Skoll for his work with Participant Media; Joel Gallen, who produced the landmark post-9/11 telethon "America:A Tribute to Heroes”; and Mike Nichols and Cary Brokaw, producers of HBO’s "Angelsin America.” Ziskin is being recognized dually for her passionate commitment to storytelling as well as her remarkable efforts in organizing the recent Stand Up to Cancer campaign and its multi-platform programming. Ziskin also received the Producers Guild’s David O. Selznick Achievement Award in 2005, and is the first recipient of the Selznick Award to be so honored as a PGA visionary.

"Laura Ziskin is not only an exceptionally talented producer but also an avid humanitarian with an inspirational drive to make a difference in the fight against cancer,” said Paula Wagner, Chair of the 2011 Producers Guild Awards. "Through the Stand Up to Cancer initiative, Laura has played a pivotal role in raising funds, awareness and support for continued research to find a cure. We are proud to recognize her for her many strides and exceptional success to encourage hope and change.”

"I am thrilled to be recognized with this Visionary Award that I share with my colleagues and my co-founders at Stand Up to Cancer,” said Ziskin. "We realized that we had the potential to make cancer the first tier issue it needs to be and to impact how cancer is treated by using our skills as producers and quite literally ‘putting on a show.’ Stand Up to Cancer is my most important production and I am so touched and proud that the PGA is honoring us for it.”

As a film and television producer, Ziskin has been involved in some of the most successful productions including the immensely popular SPIDER-MAN franchise, PRETTY WOMAN, and AS GOOD AS IT GETS. Additional producing credits include NO WAY OUT, WHAT ABOUT BOB?, from a story by Ziskin and Alvin Sargent, the critically acclaimed THE DOCTOR, HERO, TO DIE FOR, the live television movie "Fail Safe” and the HBO Film DINNER WITH FRIENDS.

In 1994, Ziskin was named President of Fox 2000 Pictures and under her stewardship the division released such films as COURAGE UNDER FIRE, ONE FINE DAY, INVENTING THE ABBOTTS, VOLCANO, SOUL FOOD, NEVER BEEN KISSED, FIGHT CLUB, ANYWHERE BUT HERE, ANNA AND THE KING and THE THIN RED LINE, which garnered seven Academy Award® nominations including Best Picture. In 2002, Ziskin produced the 74th Annual Academy Awards® as the first woman to produce the awards solo, and again for a second time in 2007 where she instituted the first ever "Green” Oscar ceremony. Her work on both ceremonies earned a total of 17 Emmy Award nominations.

Sharing a desire to make an impact in the fight against cancer, Ziskin and a group of women—including Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Ellen Ziffren, Noreen Fraser, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Lisa Paulsen and Kathleen Lobb—founded Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) in 2008. Ziskin went on to executive produce the historic SU2C televised event on September 5, 2008 to raise awareness and funds to support groundbreaking cancer research. The one-hour special, which combined entertainment, education and musical performances, was the first-ever televised "roadblock” event raising money to proactively combat a major public health threat. Over 100 celebrities donated their time to appear in the show and in public service announcements promoting it. Just one year after Stand Up To Cancer’s launch, the first installments of over $70 million worth of three-year grants were awarded to a number of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional "Dream Teams” of researchers. On September 10, 2010, the second "Stand Up to Cancer” event aired on all four major networks and over a dozen cable outlets, including HBO, Showtime and Discovery Health. Over 100 celebrities and musicians donated their time once again to promote the initiative. Ziskin is not only a founder of SU2C but also a member of its Executive Leadership Council.

Ziskin has served on the board of Americans for a Safe Future, the National Council of Jewish Women and Education First. Due to her philanthropic and producing work, she has been honored with many awards including Premiere Magazine’s "Women in Hollywood” award, the Big Sisters of Los Angeles Sterling Award, Women’s Image Network Award, Women in Film’s Crystal Award, the Israel Film Festival’s Visionary Award, The Wellness Community’s Human Spirit Award and The Producers Guild of America’s David O. Selznick Award. She was also honored by Senator Barbara Boxer as a "Woman Making History” and by the City of Hope as "Woman of the Year.”

source: http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/110313-spider-man-producer-laura-ziskin-to-receive-visionary-award-

--- end ---

CONGRATS TO LAURA!


Laura's senior pic from the 1968 Ceralbus

And when Laura was a junior and I a senior, she signed my Ceralbus...

- Palm -
Wow! So you think you're really somethin' 'cause you finally made it through Hi School - well Congrats!! Live it up this summer as I know you will. Let's keep in touch so we can become millionaires together. (Keep thinking of ways to improve our business.)
Really glad to know you!
Luv,
Laura

So Laura honey, I lost your phone number! When you read this, give me a call... got an idea I want to hash over with you...

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Update on Bob Holst

Linda Green Nicholson posted on Facebook:
Cathy, I called Tom Friday night and had a very good conversation with him..he says he is trying to get the hospice care for Bob..that as of now Bob's both kidneys, liver, pancreas, and lower bowels are shutting down..I asked how he was and he said tired but hanging in there, he was pleased that I asked about him also, I guess alot of people just ask about Bob..He said that the calls really help him and keeps him going..could you please post this for me I'm not sure how so it will get to everyone..Thank you Linda

Also Guy Gingell posted these updates

Yesterday:
UPDATE: Bob Holst -- I talked with Tom this morning. Bob is still in ICU. His condition is getting worse. In my opinion, Tom is the one that needs our support at this time. Tom is going to contact Hospice to see if they can help as Bob "wants to be at home and left alone to die" . Tom's Cell: 724 413 1426.

Today:
Bob Holst is in MONTEFIORE Medical Center Pittsburgh, PA.

In lieu of flowers, Bob would like to have friends donate to the Burbank High School Angel Fund. Contact: Guy Gingell at bohica1966@live.com for information on donations. Thanks.

And then an hour later, he wrote:
Good News -- I just got a call from Bob Holst's caregiver. Bob's white cell count has improved and his kidneys are starting to work properly. He is out of ICU.

MONTEFIORE Medical Center
Pittsburgh, PA.
Nurses Station at the Hospital 415 647-2345
Floor 12 South, Room #43
Questions: Guy Gingell 206 459-8864

Ortega Family's Honors and Awards!

Thanks so much Cathy and Congratulations to Freddie, Joan, Griffin and all the rest!!!

Hi CP: We have been so busy the past few days that I haven't been able to send you some great photos for your blog.

The first one is of Fred and Joan Nobile Ortega's Family, whose grandson, Griffin, was honored at the Veteran's Day Memorial Ceremony at McCambridge.


The second photo is of Griffin receiving his plaque and street banner from Ana Reinke, Mayor of Burbank.


Here is the info Joan gave me:

Griffin Michael Turner is Mike and Nikki's son. He is 22, will be 23 in January. He joined the USMC upon graduation from Pacifica High School in 2006. He did two tours of Iraq during his service and was honorably discharged this past June. The flag which he was awarded today flew along Third Street during his service years as part of Burbank's service recognition program.

Here is the link to the Burbank Leader:
Veterans Day ceremony held in Burbank - Burbank Leader

***********************************************



Also, I am attaching photos I took of the 2nd BHS Athletic Hall of Fame recipents: Including our 1964 Cross Country CIF Champs: Jim Peabody, Freddie Ortega and Joe Santa Cruz, who were there to accept their awards.





Dave Kemp, Freddie Ortega & Frank Kallem. Coaches Kemp and Kallem were honored as outstanding Coaches and Teachers.


Program: Agenda & Narrations on all the awardees.




Trophy and photo in glass case outside gymnasium.


Jim Peabody, Joe Santa Cruz & Freddie making their speeches with Cathy Ferguson looking on.


Joan & Freddie Ortega with BHS Athletic Hall of Fame plaque.